CAR-T cell therapies help the body fight back against haematological cancers, and is now also being studied for solid tumours

What is the potential breakthrough?

Scientists use the body’s own immune system to engineer immune cells to target specific types of cancer. 

How will it help patients?

CAR-Ts have the potential to save lives, allowing people with cancer to live longer, healthier lives.

What is the potential impact on Europe’s healthcare systems?

CAR-Ts may offer a one-time solution, displacing the costs of chemotherapy treatments, and reducing expenditure on targeted therapy by between 55 and 100%. Hospitalisation costs could decline, assuming relapse rates fall, as patients will no longer require lengthy stays in hospital, clinician attendances or stem cell transplants. 

What is the potential impact on societies?

The curative promise of CAR-Ts may allow people to live longer, healthier, more productive lives; treated patients can work and otherwise contribute to society.

• There are around 18,650 new cases of blood cancers across Europe every year.
• 50% of all childhood cancers are hematological cancers.
• Current standard of care is very aggressive chemotherapy, with 50% of patients relapsing after treatment.
• CAR-Ts can reduce expenditure on targeted therapy by 55-100%

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